Wheel cover



July 5, 1960 G. A. LYON 2,943,888

WHEEL COVER Filed July 19, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [21 F517 far" @EGRGE flLBE/QT Ara/v July 5, 1960 G. A. LYON 2,943,888

WHEEL COVER Filed July 19, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I q I9 I 7 7 l0 1 I 34. I

l v i 2 i J I w 4 w -nar H a g I I WHEEL COVER George Albert Lyon, 13881 W. Chicago Blvd., Detroit 28, Mich.

Filed July 19, 1957, Ser. No. 672,952

13 Claims. (Cl. 301-37) This invention relates generally to wheel structures and to methods of making same, and still more particularly to a cover and handle grip structure and method of attaching the handle grips or spoke simulating element to the cover.

In the past there has been considerable demand for cover structures having radially extending spoke simulating elements or handles. In the past most of the cover structures having this type of construction have been highly involved ordinarily requiring a multi-part cover structure which on occasion has involved the use of three or more circular cover members. It will be appreciated that this type of cover construction is highly involved involving close tolerances between the parts and in addition is considerably more expensive to manufacture.

The present cover structure is believed to be considerably more advantageous than prior cover constructions of this general type since the components of the cover may be more simply manufactured at a substantially reduced cost, and since the components of the cover may be assembled together much more readily.

Accordingly, an object of this invenion is to provide a new and improved cover structure having ornamental and utilitarian handle grips or spoke simulating elements.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel method of attaching handle grips to a wheel cover.

Yet another, object of the present invention is to provide handle grips or spoke simulating elements which elements are engaged under resilient tension with the cover and which may be readily assembled with and removed from the same.

According to the general features of the present invention there is provided in a wheel structure including rim and body parts, a cover structure including an annular dished portion with the dished portion having opposed radially inner and radially outer side wall areas, the side wall areas having circumferentially spaced sets of openings defined by edges, circumferentially spaced bridging elements having resiliently deflecta'ole and collapsible end portions each cooperable with one of the sets of openings with the bridging elements spanning and reinforcing the dished portion telescopingly cooperable with the edges defining the openings, the resiliently collapsible end portions upon being collapsed being insertable into the openings and upon being released engaging under ten. sion the edges defining the openings, and means on the cover structure for fastening the cover structure in detachable assembly with one of the rim and body parts, at least one of the collapsible end portions on each of the bridging elements provided with an offset shoulder area cooperable with the radially inner side wall area of the dished portion to resist radially outward displacement of the bridging element.

' According to still other features of the present invention there is provided in a method of assembling spoke simulating elements with a dished'vehicle wheel cover, the steps of cutting out openings at'circumferentially tates Patent 2,943,888 Patented July 5, 1960 ice spaced openings in the opposed side walls of the dished area of the cover, reducing the cross sectional configuration of the spoke simulating elements thus enabling the elements to be passed through the openings in the opposed side Walls of the dished area, telescoping the ele-,

ments through the openings, and enlarging the cross sectional configuration of the elements placing the elements in assembly under spring tension with the edges defining the openings.

Other objects and features of the present invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings illustrating therein several embodiments and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the wheel structure;

Figure '2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially on the line II--II of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of the cover with one of the bridging elements shown in a collapsed position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view similar to Figure 3 only showing the bridging element in an expanded position in self retaining cooperation with the cover;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on the line VV of Figure 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to Figure 2 only illustrating a modified cover structure.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally the wheel structure which wheel structure has a conventional Wheel comprised of a body part 11 and a multi-flanged tire rim 12. The tire rim 12 supports a conventional tire structure 13 which may be either of the tube or tubeless type and which is adapted to be inflated by inserting air in the valve stem 14 shown in Figure l. The body part and tire rim are suitably joined together at 15 by means of welding and the like. The body part 1 1 is provided with a bolt-on flange 16 which flange has a series of apertures 17. The apertures 17 are adapted to be aligned with lugs positioned on the axle of a vehicle and then guided in assembly therewith with nuts (not shown) threaded onto the lugs to clamp the body part 11 to the axle.

The tire rim 12 includes a generally radially outwardly extending annular rim flange 18 and a generally axially outwardly elongated terminal rim flange 19.

Cooperable with the above defined Wheel is a novel cover structure 20 for overlying the wheel which cover structure includes a circular cover member 21 and a series of circumferentially spaced spoke-simulating elements or handle grips 22.

The circular cover member 21 includes a central crown area 23 which is bounded at its outer periphery by an annular dished portion 24 defined by opposed side wall vided with some kind of snap-on, pry-off type of retaining means. In the illustrated instance the cover margin 27 is turned under and formed intoan annular resiliently deflectablecover flange structure .28 for self retainingcooperation with the terminal rim flange 19. y f

The flange structure 28 includes ,a radial flange 29 spaced axially inwardly of the cover margin 27 which flange is connectedto a g'enerallyradially and wardly extending flange 30. The annulanflange 30;is provided at circumferentially spaced intervals withgen erally wedgeshaped axia'lly' inwardly extending flanges a which are returned bent'providinggenerally radially and axially outwardly extending terminals 31 which terminals have edges 32 for edgewisebiting engagement with the. terrain" 1in1jflange19 7 t Tne suitably cfit out 'ofithe sidetwall' are'as 25 and 26. The openings 33in each set are-in generally radial alignment desired? V t I The spoke simulating elements; 22 eachare generally- C-shaped in the illustrated form although they'co'uld' be of any oth'e'i suitable configuration such: as U-shaped use ired; The elem ents 22. which also comprisea sp1it type= annular tubular -ring are provided with resilientlydefiecfl aule'mean's in: the present embodiment comprising end portions 34 which are joined together at a: commonbase 315. These end portions are resiliently deflectable an'd the fiexiblein'ature ofthe elements 221 is illustrated in Figures 3 21116 14: Figureia shows-the elements 22': while under manual tension a't which time they have a reduced cross sectional configuration; Figure 4 shows the elements 'a-fter they-"have' been manually: released atwhichtime l they have an expanded or enlarged cross sectional con figuration. V

' It should be noted-that the oppositeends of the elements '22 aretprovided: with means: for positively precluding radial movement of the elements with respect to-the cover:

a Tothisend; the radially inner. end of the elements 22 are-providedwith annular turnedflanges 36 whichflanges are adapted to abut against the radially inner face'ofithe' side; wall area 25tto precluderadially outward movement ofthe element ll. Therradially outer endofthe elements 22, and more particularly the-resilient end'portions- 34,

' are eachprovided' with ofi set turnedtabs 37-; Thettabs 37 are adapted to'cooperate with'the radially outer: face ofthe side Wallarea26inmuch the same manner as H1611?" tioned above in connectionwith the opposite end of the, elements'22. i These? tabs 37 areoperable to resist radially inward 'displacement'ofthe elements 22 by virtue :of their:

engagementagainstthe sidewall area 26 (see Fig, 4).

The elements221are. of ataperedtconfiguration so that,

' portions 34 engage under resilient tension with-the-edges- T defining the openings 33. The reason for'this is that the elements a 22- normallyhave. a cross sectional configuration slightly in excess of the size of the openings 33t Thus, when the collapsed end portionsare released'springttension is setupbctween theelements 22 and the edges de-- fining theopenings 33. 7

When: the endportions 34 are collapsedthe tabs 37' are allowed to passthrough the opening 33 in the sidewall area 26 When the end portions 34 are released the annu lar flange 36 engages against the radially inner side of the side wall area 25 andthe tabs 37- engage against theradially. outer side of the side wall area 26 so that the elements shed cover portion 24 1is proyidedwitlr} cireuni -ferentially 'spaced sets offop' enings 33 which' openings" are;

V w Shown in Figure 6 is a modified form of the cover ture '20. In this instance primed numerals-have beenused to identify identical parts.

The cover structure is identical with the cover 20 with the exception that the flange 34and the tabs 377-37 have been omitted on the elements 22'. 'In place of the flange 36 and the tabs 37 the elements 22' are provided with grooved portions 40 atthe opposite ends of the ele- Y I and the valve stem opening-in the cover may' be 'readily brought about, and'so that "the cover structure 20- and r ments 22. Thus whenthe' elements 22 are collapsed and telescoped through the openings 33' the grooved portions 4% are-brought into-alignment witlithe edges defined by the openings 33. When the collapsed portions 34 are allowed to expand, the grooved portions 40. are brought into registry with the edges defining the openings. The grooved portions 40provideabutmentareas whichengage on opposite sides of the side wall areas 25' and'26' thereby positively fastening the elements 22' to the cover 21' to resist radial displacement.

7 The-'cover structure 20 is otherwise identical tothe 'c'overstructure 20 -and'the assembly and removal of the cover structure 20 is the same as-with thecover struc themethod of attaching-the handle or elements 22 and 22' is cleari and further description is not believed to-be- 7 necessary.

It will be further appreciated that the elements 22 a' 'd' 22' are highly advantageous in providing 'm'ea'ns for reinforcing the dished'portion 24; Still-further, the 7 spoke simulating elements 22 and 22 are highly'attrac tive and provide, handles by which the cover. may be"- readily' gripped'so that alignment between the valveistem- 213 may be more readily pressed into assembly with the Wheel'by means of holding the cover structure bythe handles '22 and 22" be readily gripped and pulled axially outwardly.

It will be understood that modifications variations may be" effected without departing from the scope of the novel conceptsof the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a wheel structure-including rim andbo'dy parts, a a cover structure including an annular dished portion with the dished portion having opposed radially inner and-radially outer sidewall areas, said side Walk area's having circumferentially spaced sets of openings defined by edges, circumferentially spaced'bridgingelements hav-- ing resiliently deflectable and collapsibleendportions each cooperable with one of" said sets of openings' with said bridging elements spanning and reinforcing saiddished portion telescopingly-cooperable with the edges- 22 are precludedf'rom radial movement with respect to the cover member 21;

The cover may be. assembled-upon the wheel by align-; ing the valve stem openihg=38 with respect to the valve.

stem I4. Thereafter the cover structure '20 is urged; axially :inwardlywith .the; edges Q21progressively cammed over-t the terminal huge 19 into-assemblywith the -i. a'l es m b rem v m the Wh r e:

serting asuitable pry ofi tool underneath thecover s d w i t eth te l imt l he pv ri ic t d defining'theopenings, said resiliently collapsible end'por' tions upon being collapsedtbeing-insertable into the openings and" upon beingv released being engaged under ten-- sion with'the edges defining the openings; and means" on thecoverstructure for fastening the cover structure in detachable assembly with one of the rim' and-body parts. t t

2. In: a wheel structure including rim and body" parts;

a cover: structure includin annular dished portion-- with the dished portion having opposed" radially inner" and radially outer side wall areas, said side wall areas" havingcircumferentially spaced setsjof openings defined by edges, circumferentiallyispaced bridging elementshav ing1 resiliently deflecta'ble and collapsible end portions eajch co'operable with one of saidtsets of openings with s'aid'ibridgin'gelem'entst spanning-and reinforcing said'.

dishedlp'ortio'n;telescopingly cooper-able with the edges defining the openings, said resilientlycollapsibleendpor tionsupon being collapsed being insertableinto the-openings anduponbeing released being engaged undenten-l- 'sionwiththe edges definingthe openings. and ans,

thecover; structure for fastening; the, cover structure in;

In view of the foregoing description it is believed 'that u r These handles also aid in there: mo val of the cover in providing a cover area which mayl LWAA lmml 44 detachable assembly with one of the rim and body parts, at least one of said collapsible end portions on each of said bridging elements provided with an offset shoulder area cooperable with the radially inner side wall area of said dished portion to resist radially outward displacement of the bridging element.

3. In a wheel structure including rim and body parts, a cover structure including an annular dished portion with the dished portion having opposed radially inner and radially outer side wall areas, said side wall areas having circumferentially spaced sets of openings defined by edges, circumferentially spaced bridging elements having resiliently deflectable and collapsible end portions each cooperable with one of said sets of openings with said bridging elements spanning and reinforcing said dished portion telescopingly cooperable with the edges defining the openings, said resiliently collapsible end portions upon being collapsed being insertable into the openings and upon being released being engaged under tension with the edges defining the openings, and means on the cover structure for fastening the cover structure in detachable assembly with one of the rim and body parts, at least one of said end portions provided'with a grooved area with edge areas of the edges defining the openings nestingly cooperable with the grooved areas to resist radial displacement.

4. In a wheel structure including rim and body parts, a cover structure including an annular dished portion with the dished portion having opposed radially inner and radially outer side wall areas, said side wall areas having circumferentially spaced sets of openings defined by edges, circumferentially spaced bridging elements having resiliently deflectable and collapsible end portions each cooperable with one of said sets of openings with said bridging elements spanning and reinforcing said dished portion telescopingly cooperable with the edges defining the openings, said resiliently collapsible end portions upon being collapsed being insertable into the openings and upon being released being engaged under tension with the edges defining the openings, and means on the cover structure for fastening the cover structure in detachable assembly with one of the rim and body parts,

each of said end portions provided with a grooved area with edge areas of the edges defining the openings nestingly cooperable with the grooved areas to resist radial displacement.

5. In a wheel structure including rim and body parts, a cover structure including an annular dished portion with the dished portion having opposed radially inner and radially outer side Wall areas, said side wall areas having circumferentially spaced sets of openings defined by edges, circumferentially spaced bridging elements having resiliently deflectable and collapsible end portions each cooperable with one of said sets of openings with said bridging elements spanning and reinforcing said dished portion telescopingly cooperable with the edges defining the openings, said resiliently collapsible end portions upon being collapsed being insertable into the open lugs and upon being released being engaged under tenson with the edges defining the openings, and means on the cover structure for fastening the cover structure in detachable assembly with one of the rim and body parts, said bridging elements each comprising a split ring with the collapsible end portions being flexible relative to one another and having a common junction thereby comprising the split ring.

6. In a wheel structure including rim and body parts, a cover structure including a central crown bounded by an annular dished portion with the dished portion having opposed side Wall areas, said cover having circumferentially spaced openings defined by edges, circumferentially spaced C-shaped gripping elements cooperable with said openings with said C-shaped gripping elements extending radially of the central crown and the dished portion and telescoped through the openings in self retaining cooperation with the edges defining the openings, said. C-shaped gripping elements having resilient end portions which upon being collapsed have a reduced cross section enabling the end portions to bev telescoped through the openings and which end portions upon being released exerting spring tension forces against the edges defining the openings in self retained assembly therewith.

7. In a wheel structure, a wheel including rim and body parts, a wheel cover section having circumferentially spaced openings defined by edges, circumferentially spaced C-shaped gripping elements cooperable with said openings with said C-shaped gripping elements extending radially of the cover section and telescoped through the openings in self retaining cooperation with the edges defining the openings, said C-shaped gripping elements having resilient end portions which upon being collapsed have a reduced cross section enabling the end portions to be telescoped through the openings and which end portions upon being released exerting spring tension forces against the edges defining the openings in self retained assembly therewith, and means on the cover section for maintaining the same in retained assembly with the wheel.

8. A cover structure for self retained disposition upon the outer side of a vehicle wheel including a central crown bounded by an annular dished portion with the dished portion having opposed side wall areas, said cover having circumferentially spaced openings defined by edges in the side wall areas, circumferentially spaced C-shaped gripping elements extending radially of the crown spanning the dished area, said elements being cooperable with said openings with said C-shaped gripping elements telescoped through the openings in self retaining cooperation with the edges defining the openings, said C-shaped gripping elements having resilient end portions which upon being collapsed have a reduced cross section enabling the end portions to be telescoped through the openings and which end portions upon being released exerting spring tension forces against the edges defining the openings in self retained assembly therewith.

9. A cover structure for self retained disposition upon the outer side of a vehicle wheel with the cover structure having circumferentially spaced opening defined by edges, circumferentially spaced radially extending gripping elements cooperable with said openings with said gripping elements telescoped through the openings in self retaining cooperation with the edges defining the openings, said gripping elements having resilient end portions which upon being collapsed have a reduced cross section enabling the end portions to be telescoped through the openings and which end portions upon being released exerting spring tension forces against the edges defining the openings in self retained assembly therewith, means on said cover structure for maintaining the same in retained assembly with a vehicle wheel, and abutment means disposed between said gripping elements and said cover structure to resist radial displacement of the gripping elements from assembly with the edges.

- 10. A wheel cover structure for disposition on a vehicle wheel including an annular dished portion with the dished portion having opposed radially inner and radially outer side wall areas, said side wall areas having circumferentially spaced sets of openings defined by edges, circumferentially spaced bridging elements having resiliently deflectable and collapsible end portions cooperable with said sets of openings with said bridging elements spanning and reinforcing said dished portion and being telescopingly cooperable with the edges defining the openings, said resiliently collapsible end portions upon being collapsed being insertable into the openings and upon being released engaging under tension the edges defining the openings.

11. The cover structure of claim 10 further characterized by the collapsible end portions on the bridging elements being provided with olf-set'shoulder areas cooperable with the dished portion to resist radial displacement of the bridging elements.

12. The wheelstruoture of claim-10 f urthencharacteriidirlij the elenie'nts each-having resilient, G-sliaped endf portionsiwhich are-collapsed slightly whenengaged with the e d'ges., defii1ing the openings to sustain the; elements in assembly with'the'dished portion.

1 eover structure including an annular dished portion with. the dished portion having opposedsid'e Wall areas, sai'dside wall areas having circumferentiall'y spaeed setsoffopeningssdefined by edges, circumferentially spaced briii ginguelements cooperable with said sets of openings with said bridging elements spanningandreinforcing said dishediportion andheing telescoped through the openings, each of'said'spaced' Bridging elements comprising a'single 7 pieces. offmaterill}, andl res ili'ently deflectati l'e'means integraliwithree wh of the. bridging elements whereby the resiliently deflectablemeans comprises 'an integral part off the. material which oompris'es; said bridging. elements;

said resilientlydeflectable means heing adnptedforiseenr ing thebridgingelements in assembly under-tensiomwitli 111424-71 White' Juneqs; 1915 2,709,114 Plotkin May'24,-'195-5? 2;709,31s- Benjamin Ma si I955- 2, 712,474' Gaylord July 51 19-55? 

